Zumba Classes

At Dancing Through Life, we offer heart-pounding, rhythmic Zumba classes for adults and children 13 years of age and older. Located in the heart of Davie, Florida, our classes are led by certified, experienced instructors who know how to get heart rates up and help people shed pounds. Just like our other classes, we offer rates on individual classes, membership options, and additional services to meet any individual need.

Zumba is an exciting, fun way to stay active and meet new people. For more information on our classes and schedule, visit our class schedule.

What You Need To Know About Zumba

Zumba has taken the world by storm. The eclectic dance rhythms, the speed of movement, and entertainment intertwined with exercise make the Zumba trend one that could be here to stay for decades to come. At Dancing Through Life, we offer Zumba classes led by Paula Picon, a dedicated and licensed Zumba Instructor with an unmatched zeal for life. Get exercise while dancing to the beat. Get your heart beating. Enjoy your fitness routine.

What is Zumba?

Simply put, Zumba is a dance fitness program that incorporates both dance and aerobic exercise. Unlike most other forms of exercise, Zumba revolves around the idea of having fun while burning calories, of dancing while melting away fat. Zumba is a dynamic exercise program that has shown significant promise as an alternative to traditional exercise.

Zumba consists of slow and fast dancing, aerobic elements like kicks and punches, as well as resistance training, MMA, and more. Drawing from dance styles that range from Samba, Hip-Hop, and Salsa to the Chachacha, Tango, and Flamenco, an hour of class is a good time for all involved. Zumba classes are usually about an hour long and always result in getting the blood pumping and the room energized. Although some people choose self-direction at home with various DVD’s and products, most find that actual direction by an instructor is the most effective method.

Zumba started with just one set of classes to help burn calories and offer a tough cardio workout. As it grew in popularity, so too did the selection of classes offered. After more than a decade of growth, Zumba has expanded to include classes for people of all ages, strengths, and sizes. From gold classes for the senior crowd to options for children, this exercise program now offers a little bit of something for everyone.

The Origin of Zumba

Zumba was founded by a well-known and well-loved Columbian dancer and choreographer by the name of Alberto “Beto” Perez. As the story goes, in the early 1990’s, Mr. Perez was teaching one of his popular aerobics music classes and went out to his car. The Columbian choreographer began listening to a bit of Salsa and Merengue infused music. After enjoying the beat of the latin-inspired music, Alberto “Beta” Perez improvised the class that would later evolve into Zumba.

Although this exercise method draws its roots from just the early 90’s, it has since grown by leaps and bounds. Zumba gained significant popularity in Columbia, but wasn’t brought to the rest of the world until the year 2001. Alberto Perez teamed up with his business partner and the Zumba cofounder Alberto Perlman, as well as childhood friend Alberto Aghion to create the very first demo reel. The dance aerobics program was then quickly snatched up by the corporation Fitness Quest.

Once the original home video course was released, Zumba took off and never looked back. As a more exciting and entertaining form of exercise, larger and larger classes began making their mark on the fitness landscape. With more and more dance influence, the exercise program soon became the preference of people across the US, Latin America, and the rest of the world.

The list of Zumba dance influences spans genres and offers entertainment for people from all backgrounds:

Hip-hop

Soca

Samba

Salsa

Merengue

Mambo

Martial arts

Zumba continues to grow and evolve as the trend spreads across the world. The dance/aerobics/exercise trend can now be found in 140,000 locations or more in approximately 150 countries. Estimates show that more than 14 million people enjoy Zumba classes each and every week.

Types of Zumba Classes

Zumba may have begun as a simple improvisation from some music in a car, but it has since evolved into a dynamic, varied platform for entertaining exercise. Class length, Zumba styles, and even age groups have developed to match individual needs. Check out the official list of Zumba class options listed below:

Zumba (original)

The hallmark of the original Zumba course is a dance-fitness party directed by licensed instruc-tors. Pulse-pounding beats and Latin rhythms get blood flowing and hearts beating. Enjoy an effective, fun approach to aerobic exercise.

Zumba Step

Zumba Step integrates step toning with a small exercise platform.

Zumba Toning

Aqua Zumba

For those who want a low-impact version of Zumba, Aqua Zumba is the perfect choice. This it-eration takes place in a pool and targets cardio-conditioning, body-toning, and a significant amount of calorie-burning exhilaration.

Zumba Sentao

This version of the popular exercise routine utilizes a chair to boost calorie burning and core toning. Targeted resistance training is integrated with more heart-pounding rhythms to offer an improved cardio workout.

Zumba Gold

This class is much more low-impact and is designed specifically with older adults in mind.

Zumba Gold Toning

Much like Zumba toning, this option offers integration of weights for toning but is crafted for people more advanced in age.

Zumba Kids

For ages 7 to 11, Zumba Kids is a fun and entertaining dance party for kids. Get them active with a Zumba kids party.

Zumba Kids Junior

Designed as more of a dance and play party, Zumba Kids Junior is created for children ages 4 to 6. Age appropriate music and games make this a unique, fun option for the kids.

Zumbini

Want a chance to exercise and influence positive child development? Zumbini is designed for children 0 to 3 years of age and a parent. With 10 to 12 week sessions, this is often the choice for savvy parents.

Zumba in the Circuit

Combine serious circuit strength training with the burn and cardio of Zumba.

What to Expect in a Zumba Class

What can you expect in a Zumba class? Fun, excitement, and a serious workout. Classes usually last about one hour, but can be shorter or longer based on individual sessions. At Dancing Through Life, Paula Picon directs class members in an exhilarating, heart-pumping workout session set to Latin-inspired rhythms and music. Paula Picon has been directing classes as a licensed Zumba instruction since 2006.

A single Zumba class session is likely to include dancing styles such as Merengue, Salsa, Reggaeton, Mambo, Rumba, Flamenco, and more. The selection of music and dance styles varies based on course and instructor. You can expect both faster and slower rhythms, integration of squats, and even a bit of martial arts thrown in to offer a more dynamic exercise that targets a wider range of areas.

As listed above, there are a variety of Zumba class types to choose from. Each offers a different focus with varied benefits. Focusing on toning arms, the core, or increased cardio depends on the individual class chosen. Before attending a class, make sure to ask specifically about what type of Zumba is being offered. Much like any other form of exercise, be sure to consult a medical professional to make sure you are healthy enough for this physical activity.

Expect high energy, music that motivates, and a party atmosphere. Zumba was created to make exercising fun and effective at the same time. Expect energy. Expect results. Join Zumba.

Benefits of Zumba

People from around the world are seeing results with Zumba. Healthy exercise through classes like Zumba combined with proper diet and lifestyle changes can make a major difference in weight management and overall health. Zumba offers a way to participate with a group to get healthier and enjoy working out. These classes provide an approach to cardio exercise that is both fun and exhilarating.

Similar to other forms of aerobic exercise, Zumba burns calories at a high rate. Unlike other forms of exercise, however, these classes revolve around fun and entertainment. Perhaps the largest benefit of all is the enjoyment that participants get from the program. Instead of dreading the gym, many Zumba enthusiasts actually look forward to the dancing, music, and social connection that the exercise class offers.

Instead of trudging through repetitious and boring exercises, more and more people are choosing Zumba each week. Although it is enjoyable, classes are also incredibly intense and are not recommended for people of all health levels. Like any form of exercise, make sure to check with your doctor or a qualified health specialist to make sure you are healthy enough to participate.

Zumba Celebrities

The explosion of popularity for Zumba is stunning. Gyms and dance studios are changing into Zumba dance party centers. People from age 0 to 80 and above are enjoying the incredibly entertaining aerobics/dance exercise that is Zumba. As the trend continues and shows promise, more and more of the rich and famous are taking advantage of the exercise of the new millennium.

The league of celebrities joining the Zumba movement is impressive to say the least. Perhaps it is the energy, the effectiveness, even the fun of the exercise routine that brings in so many celebrities. Halle Berry, Shakira, Wyclef Jean, Eva LaRue, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Natalie Portman, Emma Watson, and Victoria Beckham are just a few of the notable celebrities that have switched to Zumba.

Celebrities and independently wealthy individuals are choosing Zumba over much, much more expensive exercise regimens.

Enjoy your workout routine. Enjoy sweating to the beat. Enjoy Zumba at Dancing Through Life.